23/9/2020 - Worth Matravers to Swanage (7.63mls)

This was the first "real" coast path walk of the week in that there was nothing but steep cliffs and coves and views with the occasional fellow walker to pass and acknowledge.

Because of the West Lulworth Firing range restrictions which affect roads in the area, it took longer than expected to get to Worth Matravers, an attractive village about 1mile inland from the SWCP.

Fiona dropped us off by the duckpond ...

... and then we walked down to the SWCP at Winspit Quarry. The path then goes along the coast going inland slightly around Seacombe Quarry before arriving at Dancing Ledge ...

... which was originally a quarry. The swimming pool was cut in 1893 by the quarry men at the request of the head teacher of Durnford House school in Langton Matravers. Fiona and David's friend and neighbour Sara remembers learning to swim here as a child when she lived in Langton Matravers. It is called Dancing Ledge because the waves break or 'dance' over the ledge.

The weather today was a mixture of drizzle wind and rain but we managed to find shelter at Anvil Point lighthouse to have our lunch. Whilst there we solved the puzzle of the three 1mile makers shown on the map. Each maker is in fact 2 metal lattice towers separated by about 100ft. The idea is that sailors can assess their speed as they can determine when they are in line with the maker when the rear marker is exactly in line with the front marker.

Continuing around past Durlston Head and impressive Durlston Castle we arrived at Peveril Point at Swanage where we were able to see 5 cruise ships and Old Harry in the distance ...

Fiona met us at the Sailing Club and we drove back via Corfe Castle for a cup of tea.

Another 7.63miles at an average speed of 2.7mph.